Fourth (third Antwerp) edition, extensively revised and expanded to reach its definitive form, of the first substantial Dutch manual on the notary's practice, based partly on older Latin and French works, some with the same Latin title. It was written (in part translated) by the Antwerp notary Jacques (Jacob) Thuys. Hendrick Heyndricxz published the first 2 editions at Antwerp in 1583 and 1585. The present calls itself the third, clearly following on the 1585 edition, which calls itself the second, but Bruyn Harmansz. Schinkel published an edition at Delft in 1589 (copying even the "second edition" statement from the 1585 edition). Shinkel appears to have copied the present edition for his 1596 edition. The book was, of course, intended for the use of the notaries themselves, and for notaries in training, but Thuys's note to the reader also offers it to merchants, investors and tradesmen, since they would benefit from a better understanding of the documents they might have to have drawn up for business purposes.
The manual remained in use for a century not only in Flanders and Brabant, but also in the Northern Netherlands, going through more than 20 editions. Later manuals by Dirck Heymansz. van der Mast and others also owed it a great deal to Thuys's example. It insights into legal and financial practices and organization concerning business and daily life in the 16th and 17th-century make it an essential tool for the study of cultural history and for understanding archival documents. We have located only 7 other copies.
Owner's stamp on title-page: "Francois Rosset[?] A ...obern[?]". The title-page, slightly damaged and soiled but with no loss, has been reattached, but the book is otherwise in good condition. Binding rubbed. Belg. Typ 4529; Carter & Vervliet 258; Dekkers, Bibl. belgica juridica, p. 170; Machiels T226; Pitlo & Gehlen, De zeventiende en achtiende eeuwse notarisboeken (2004), pp.. 9-13; KVK & WorldCat (2 copies); Picarta (2 copies); UniCat (2 copies); USTC (3 copies); cf. Typ. Batava 321-323 (Delft eds.).